Two young sisters have been left orphaned following a devastating series of events: their father, Arjun Patoliya, was killed in the tragic Air India plane crash on July 12—just two weeks after their mother, Bharti, passed away from cancer.
According to heartbreaking reports, 37-year-old Arjun, a British national, was one of the 270 victims of what has become India’s deadliest aviation disaster in over 30 years. Investigations are ongoing, with early findings suggesting the aircraft encountered problems almost immediately after takeoff and crashed within a minute.
Arjun had traveled to India to honor Bharti’s final wish—scattering her ashes in her hometown of Gujarat. Bharti had recently passed away after a brave battle with cancer. Tragically, on his journey back to reunite with their daughters, aged four and eight, Arjun lost his life in the crash.
Their deaths have left the family shattered, suffering two major losses in just 18 days. In response, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support the future of the couple’s young daughters.
The fundraiser reads: “In only 18 days, two little girls—just 4 and 8—lost both of their loving parents. Their mother, Bharti Patoliya, died after bravely fighting cancer. Her husband, Arjun Patoliya, traveled to Gujarat to fulfill her final wish of having her ashes scattered in her homeland. But tragedy struck again—he was among those killed in the Air India crash shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad.
“Arjun went to say goodbye to his wife and never returned to the daughters they lovingly raised. Now, these two girls are left alone, their lives turned upside down in just over two weeks.”
So far, over £576,000 has been raised through the campaign. The funds will be placed in a legal trust or given to guardians to ensure the money supports the girls’ future.
Arjun’s mother, Kanchan Patoliya, told the *Indian Express* that either she or her younger son, Gopal, will care for the children. “Gopal reached Ahmedabad on Friday evening,” she said. “Once we complete the final rites, we’ll make a decision about the girls’ future. If necessary, I’ll travel to London to stay with my younger son and care for my granddaughters.”